AIS/EA Day FAQ

What is AIS/EA Day? What is Spirit Week?

AIS/EA Day is an annual competition between The Agnes Irwin School and Episcopal Academy in Field Hockey, Soccer, Tennis and Cross Country. We alternate hosting with EA. AIS hosts in even years and EA hosts in odd years. The week leading up to AIS/EA Day is called Spirit Week, during which a variety of activities are held in each division as well as school-wide.

When is AIS/EA Day this year? 

AIS/EA Day will be held on Friday, November 8, 2019 at the Episcopal Academy. Here is the schedule of community events; see below for additional division-specific activities:

November 1, 2019                 Hay Fair

November 4-8, 2019              Spirit Week 

November 7, 2019                 Evening Activities

5:30 p.m.         Faculty/staff vs. Varsity Volleyball match 

6:00 p.m.         Pasta dinner

6:30 p.m.         Team dance competition and pep rally

November 8, 2019                 AIS/EA Day at Episcopal Academy

                                                12:30 p.m.       Varsity Tennis

1 p.m.              Varsity Cross Country

1:30 p.m.         Varsity Soccer

2:45 p.m.         Varsity Field Hockey 

What are the Spirit Week activities? 

Spirit Week, the week leading up to AIS/EA Day, is unique in each division: 

Lower School: LS assembly with US fall sport student-athletes; carnival on Friday morning led by 4th grade; LS students cheer on US athletes as they depart for EA on Friday; spirit gear sales on Wednesday and Thursday in the Owl Lobby 

Middle School: Can Drive; Parliament Poster Contest; pep rally; “blue and gold” dress on Friday; spirit gear sales on Wednesday and Thursday at the Student Life Center

Upper School: Themed dress each day of spirit week (participation is optional); pep rally; spirit gear sales on Wednesday and Thursday at the Student Life Center

All Community Events During Spirit Week:

Friday, November 1: The AIS Parents’ Council invites you to attend Hay Fair on Friday, November 1, as the official kick off to spirit week! Learn more about Hay Fair by clicking here.

Thursday, November 7: On Thursday evening, the Athletic Association and the Athletic Department are pleased to invite you to an evening of activities and fun at AIS! At 5:30 p.m., cheer on the faculty and staff vs. the Varsity Volleyball team in a friendly match. At 6 p.m., join us for a pasta dinner in the Student Life Center, and at 6:30 p.m., enjoy the upper school fall team dance competition/pep rally for the entire AIS community! This is a great time to be in community and we are thrilled that many families make time to attend with their girls. This event is open to all AIS families. No sign-up is required, and there is no fee for the events. Spirit gear will be for available for purchase at this event; kindly note that only cash or checks are accepted for spirit gear sales. Friday is game day! 

When can I buy a t-shirt or additional spirit gear?

T-Shirt Sales

Each year for AIS/EA Day, Upper School students in the Athletic Association design a themed t-shirt. Students are invited to buy a t-shirt annually and many choose to do so. There is a choice of short or long sleeves. The AIS/EA Day tee is considered spirit wear and can be worn on free dress days or in PE class once the event has passed. 

AIS/EA Day t-shirt sales are conducted online; the store opens 10/14/19 and will close on 10/21/19. Once the store is closed, no additional t-shirts may be ordered, and the athletic department does not order extras. T-shirts are delivered to the girls on campus during Spirit Week.

Spirit Gear Sales

Many items range in price from $1 to $5, with specialty items and clothing items costing more. There will be clothing, accessories and fan gear for all ages. Spirit gear will be sold at Hay Fair, in school Wednesday and Thursday (in the Owl Lobby in LS and outside the SLC in the MS/US building), and again on Thursday night. Kindly note that only cash or checks are accepted for spirit gear sales. 

What is the schedule for classes, transportation, and dismissal on AIS/EA Day?

Lower School: The Lower School will operate on its normal schedule. Parents may sign out their children to attend the games at EA if they wish. Please complete the following form if you wish to dismiss your child early on Friday, November 8. Mini carline will begin at 12 p.m. from Owl Lobby.

Middle School: Regular classes followed by a pep rally in the MS/US gym. Students eat lunch here at school then travel to EA by school bus. Students have the option to return to school by shuttle in time to take Township buses or after the last game. Students also have the option to be picked up at EA; if this is the case, they must be signed out by a parent at the AIS tent. Annually, a waiver is sent home; it will also be available on AIS-On.

Upper School: US students will have a special schedule that includes class, a pep rally and lunch. Upper School students will be dismissed mid-day (exact time to be confirmed). Most students choose to attend the games at EA. Shuttle transportation to EA’s campus is provided on a continuous loop beginning at dismissal and finishing at the end of the last game.